By Peter Okutu
Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Augustine Nwankwegu, has said the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primaries conducted in his constituency in Izzi West did not take place, even as it was allegedly marred by violent disturbances engineered by his opponent, Nwifuru Francis Ogbonna.

Nwankwegu, who disclosed this yesterday while briefing newsmen on the state of affairs in his constituency, noted that the party had neither issued any result of the primaries nor made any official pronouncements concerning the disrupted election.

He sais he had already made formal complaints to the party and to the governor as he was still awaiting responses from either side.

According to the speaker, “the violent disturbances started with supporters of the opposing candidate and led to smashing of cars, beating of supporters loyal to the Hon. Speaker and general disruption of the conduct of the primary election and the election did not proceed further than that.

“Equally, no re-run or run-off primary at Abakaliki township stadium, as reported by some media, held in respect of Izzi West Constituency.”

“Up till this moment, the PDP has not released any result of party primary in Izzi West constituency nor made any official statement to the best of the knowledge of the Hon. Speaker about the primary election of the Constituency.”

The speaker appealed to his supporters and the good people of his constituency and the entire state to remain peaceful, steadfast and law abiding, as the decision of the party in the matter was being awaited.

Meanwhile, contrary to speculation that the Mace of the state House of Assembly had been removed by some members who lost during the primaries, the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Rose Nwokoro, made it clear that the Mace was still intact and not missing.